Connor’s work in African literature and film originated at Michigan State University where he was awarded a FLAS fellowship in 2009 to study Yoruba. In 2010, he spent two months studying Yoruba at Obafemi Awolowo University – Ile-Ife with the Fulbright-Hays Yoruba Group Project Abroad. He had the good fortune to return to Nigeria in the summer of 2011 to build the NSC’s start-up website. It was during this period that he met Kelani, me, and developed the basis for this research project.

I cannot think of anyone more uniquely qualified to link people and resources in this continuing online inititative to broaden Nollywood research and scholarship.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, Tunde Kelani screened his romantic classic, O le ku (1997), for eager audiences on Saturday and Sunday at the LTV Station in Ikeja. Based on the popular 1974 novel by Prof. Akinwumi Isola, the film follows University of Ibadan student Ajani as he attempts to choose among three love interests: Asaka, Lola, and Sade.

Audience members were encouraged to dress “old school” to pay tribute to the film’s setting in the 1970’s.